Of all the coaches that have graced the sidelines at Sonoma State through the years, few have had the impact of the men's basketball coach Dick Walker. Leader of the Cossacks for 16 years, from 1978-94, Walker took over a squad that had been dormant for four years, and over time formed into one of the best teams in the Northern California Athletic Conference.
With 190 wins to his credit at Sonoma State, Walker is the school's all-time winningest men's basketball coach. Prior to joing SSU, Walker was the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown for one year. He led his team to an 18-14 record before moving west to take the reigns at Sonoma State.
The task that met Walker upon his arrival on campus was a daunting one. He was asked to ressurect a team that had been cut four years before. In their first year of competiton, 1978-79, the Cossacks compiled an amazing record of 16-10. The next year SSU joiend the Far West Conference and several years later, the Northern California Athletic Conference. In his tenure, Walker led the Cossacks to five NCAC Tournaments.
In 1988-89, Walker led the Cossacks to the NCAA West Regionals for the first time since 1974, as they compiled an 11-3 conference record and scored two big wins over UC Davis. The following year, SSU took on the role of 'giant killers' as they upset Fresno State 62-60 in Fresno.
Following his retirement in 1994, Walker enjoyed retired life for several years before returning to the Sonoma County coaching fraternity as coach of the girl's team at Cloverdale High School. These days, Coach Walker can still be seen roaming the sidelines, teaching his players valuable lessons on and off the court.
